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Fathers play a critical role in child development and well-being, yet research on how
men view their roles as fathers and their influence on their children's health is limited.
The present study sought to answer the following questions: 1) What are men's
expectations regarding fatherhood? 2) How have these expectations changed after
becoming fathers? 3) What factors or role models shape and influence these
expectations? and, 4) How do fathers perceive their impact on the health and well-being
of their children? Data were collected via in-depth interviews with 20 fathers of
pre-school aged children residing in two Oregon communities. Results suggest that
role models, work schedule, mothers' roles, and their self-identity as fathers
influenced participants' views of themselves as fathers and consequently their
involvement in their children's lives. Fathers' sense of responsibility, either financial
or emotional or both, appeared to heavily impact the ways they chose to engage with
their children. While meeting physical needs of food, clothing, and shelter were
discussed, for these fathers the primary indicator of children's health was happiness.
They considered themselves responsible for creating a happy home environment in
which to nurture their children's mental and emotional health. All the fathers engaged
in caring for their children when they were sick, including sharing specific tasks such
as doctors' visits, dispensing medicine, and staying at home with the children.
Findings suggest that fathers view themselves as playing an important role in
promoting and protecting the health of their children.